CONTROL OF PLAY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 10 September 1927, Page 12

CONTROL OF PLAY.

QUERIES AND ANSWERS. OFFICIAL RULINGS. A circular letter issued foy tbe N.Z. Pugby Referees’ Association on 23rd August, a copy of which has been made available to the Hawera Star by the secretary of the South Taranaki Association (Mr J. J. Goodwin), includes the following rulings given ‘by the parent body in answer to queries received from various centres. Referring to a recent decision that “a half-back picking up the ball and entering a scrummage, loose or set, be penalised with a penalty kick,” quote authority? Decision: The case is covered by Law 15, section (f): “No player shall wilfully put the ball unfairly into a scrummage, or the ball having come out, wilfully return it by hand or foot into a scrummage.” A player returning the ball in any way into a scrummage, either by band or foot, or carrying it, should be penalised. Definite enlightenment as to whether a tackled player in rolling away from the ball can kick at it? Decision: Yes. In the event of a wing-forward unintentionally over-running the ball in a scrummage and circling round tbe scrum in an honest endeavour to get on side, should he be penalised? Decision: No, providing that he does not obstruct an opponent or interfere in wa 7 with the play, or an opponent. .The last note to Law 17 provides that it is not intended a player should be penalised who unintentionally overruns the ball while it is in the scrummage. Is it necessary for the ball to be locked to, or over, the mark when a penalty kick has been awarded? Decision: The ball must be kicked in th© direction of the opponents 7 in-goa.l from a spot opposite to the mark and parallel to the touch line. Can a player with both feet in touch, while the hall is in the field of play piny the 'ball with -hands to prevent it going into touch? Decision: Yes. Can a referee order the wing forwards to stand one on each side of the serum? Decision: No. Can a player when lying on the ground tackle, collar, or interfere in any w-ay with a player who is posses- < sum of the ball? Decision: Yes. , A player obtaining a mark outside i his twenty-five, retires within bis ! twenty-five and kicks to toueb on the 1 full. Is the line-out to take the place I where the ball alighted? Decision: The i kicker may retire into his twenty-five and kick out on the full, the line-out f to be taken where the ball" alights; N.Z. 1 Union decision. \